Travel trade group rejects Ryanair fare claims

Gillian Edwards, of travel trade association Abta, has said there is no reason today’s European Court of Justice ash cloud ruling should lead to a hike in air fares - but admitted that the EU regulations needed revisiting.

Today’s ruling does not in fact change the law, it just reinforces it. For the past nine years airlines have had to cover the costs of delays and cancellations under EU law.

Ryanair has already introduced a levy in 2011 to compensate for this so there is no reason that today’s ruling should result in a further increase in its fares.

Ryanair does raise a valid point, through this court case, that the EU regulations are perhaps now due for a review so that there is a sensible balance between looking after the passenger and airlines’ responsibilities.